2008 Woodie Awards
Dr. Shirley Tilghman speaks about coeducation
Meredith Clinton
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: News
In light of the College's celebration of 50 years of coeducation, Dr. Shirley Tilghman, President of Princeton University, spoke on behalf of the Center for Ethics on Thurs. Feb 14. The idea for a lecturer on the topic of coeducation came about last year with Dr. Judith Ridner, Director of the Center for Ethics and Associate Professor of History, and Patricia DiQuinzio, Professor of Philosophy and Women's Studies, both of whom were on the 50th Anniversary Planning Committee.
The pair was charged with planning the academic side of this year's celebration. "We both wanted to bring a woman to campus that would embody women's accomplishments in the work world over the last 50 years, while also being able to speak in meaningful ways about how much still needs to be done in the pursuit of equality moving forward," said Ridner.
DiQuinzio and Ridner immediately thought of inviting a female university president, business leader, or writer to the College, but were discouraged after learning how much a speaker might cost. This is where Dr. Amy Hark, Assistant Professor of Biology and Co-Director of the Biochemistry major, became of some assistance.
Dr. Tilghman was Hark's Ph.D. thesis advisor in the Department of Molecular Biology at Princeton University. Through this personal contact, Dr. Tilghman very graciously agreed to donate some of her time to come to the campus and deliver a lecture.
The night began with an admirable introduction from Dr. Hark who spoke of Dr. Tilghman's ongoing enthusiasm and excitement for science, her outstanding abilities as a teacher, and how she is completely committed to the entire college enterprise. "I have always admired Dr. Tilghman's ability to convey her knowledge of and enthusiasm for science to others. She is an outstanding communicator and committed to excellent teaching at all levels Personally, I am extremely grateful for her support of my interest in a career focused on teaching and working with undergraduate students and for her mentorship in this regard. Of course, she is also a brilliant scientist and I also benefited greatly from her clarity and insight in approaching a scientific question," said Hark.
The pair was charged with planning the academic side of this year's celebration. "We both wanted to bring a woman to campus that would embody women's accomplishments in the work world over the last 50 years, while also being able to speak in meaningful ways about how much still needs to be done in the pursuit of equality moving forward," said Ridner.
DiQuinzio and Ridner immediately thought of inviting a female university president, business leader, or writer to the College, but were discouraged after learning how much a speaker might cost. This is where Dr. Amy Hark, Assistant Professor of Biology and Co-Director of the Biochemistry major, became of some assistance.
Dr. Tilghman was Hark's Ph.D. thesis advisor in the Department of Molecular Biology at Princeton University. Through this personal contact, Dr. Tilghman very graciously agreed to donate some of her time to come to the campus and deliver a lecture.
The night began with an admirable introduction from Dr. Hark who spoke of Dr. Tilghman's ongoing enthusiasm and excitement for science, her outstanding abilities as a teacher, and how she is completely committed to the entire college enterprise. "I have always admired Dr. Tilghman's ability to convey her knowledge of and enthusiasm for science to others. She is an outstanding communicator and committed to excellent teaching at all levels Personally, I am extremely grateful for her support of my interest in a career focused on teaching and working with undergraduate students and for her mentorship in this regard. Of course, she is also a brilliant scientist and I also benefited greatly from her clarity and insight in approaching a scientific question," said Hark.